The copy in Percy's Reliques is translated by Bodmer, I, 88.
A
a. Roxburghe Ballads, III, 160, 161. b. The same, II, 30, 31.
1 There was a shepherd's daughter
Came triping on the way,
And there she met a courteous knight,
Which caused her to stay.
Sing trang dil do lee
2 'Good morow to you, beautious maid,'
These words pronounced he;
'O I shall dye this day,' he said,
'If I have not my will of thee.'
3 'The Lord forbid,' the maid reply'd,
'That such a thing should be,
That ever such a courteous yong knight
Should dye for love of me.'
4 He took her by the middle so small,
And laid her down on the plain,
And after he had had his will,
He took her up again.
5 'Now you have had your wil, good sir,
And put my body thus to shame,
Even as you are a courteous knight,
Tel me what is your name.'
6 'Some men do call me Jack, sweet heart,
And some do call me John,
But when I come to the king's [fair] court,
They call me Sweet William.'